After Tuesday’s trade to acquire tackle Trent Brown, the Patriots may not be done. Something tells me there could be some other deals in the works.
On the surface, one would think a team flushed with as much cap space as the Patriots would retool their roster through free agency and the draft. However given the current cap situation that some teams are in, trades may actually be the best way for Bill Belichick to rebuild this Patriots roster.
Here are six players that Belichick could target via trade that fit with the Patriots.
1. Jimmy Garoppolo, QB, San Francisco: Patriots fans are yearning for the return of Jimmy G but it won’t be that easy. Garoppolo is owed $24 million dollars each of the next two seasons plus he has a no trade clause in his contract.
It will be hard to acquire Garoppolo because he has to agree to a trade to New England and a restructured contract. He will not want to do that unless the Patriots are willing to spread his money in a restructure by offering more years.
Despite these potential barriers, I still think San Francisco would trade Garoppolo if they felt they could upgrade at the position. I think he is in play and a reunion with the Patriots is not out of the question.
2. Preston Smith, OLB/DE, Green Bay: The Packers are over the cap and need to clear some money off their books. Smith could be an ideal trade and restructure candidate. He is owed close to $18 million over the next two seasons. Smith has been mentioned as a possible cap casualty so the cost to acquire him may not be much. Green Bay will in essence have to take 50 cents on the dollar for him because of their financial situation.
3. Michael Gallup, WR, Dallas Cowboys: I originally had Emmanuel Sanders in this spot but the Saints released him yesterday.
I don’t think the Cowboys are actively shopping Gallup but given their recent extension with Dak Prescott and some needs they have on defense, Dallas could potentially listen if the Patriots came calling.
Gallup has been terrific the last two seasons catching 125 passes for 1,950 yards and 11 touchdowns. He is scheduled to warn $3.5 million in 2021 and is an unrestricted free agent after the season.
Gallup would give the Patriots something they are desperately lacking. A reliable target in all three levels of the passing game.
4. David Njoku, TE, Cleveland Browns: Njoku is owed just north of $6 million next season and is scheduled to be an unrestricted free agent after the season.
The freakishly athletic Njoku is exactly what the doctor ordered for the Patriots both in terms of his size and ability and his contract.
I think Cleveland will shop the disgruntled Njoku this off-season but I am not sure they would be willing to trade him within the conference.
5. Zach Ertz, TE, Philadelphia Eagles: The 31 year old tight end battled injuries last season but when healthy, he is one of the top tight ends in the game and would be a great fit in the Patriots offense.
Ertz is scheduled to make $8.2 million next season and has an out in his deal after the season. Contractually, he would make sense for the Patriots but if they are looking for a longer term solution, Hunter Henry or Jonnu Smith in free agency might make more sense.
6. Michael Brockers DT, Los Angeles Rams: Brockers would give the Patriots some much needed size and length at defensive tackle. He could help alleviate some of their issues against the run.
He is due to earn $6.2 million in 2021 with an option in 2022. Brockers is 30 so he is on the back end of his prime. At that salary, he could be a good stop gap piece in 2021. With the Rams looking to shed some salary, Brockers could be had for a late day three pick.